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A review by iwasalilacsky
Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
*semi-spoilers*
Don’t you just love when women…
- Speak up for themselves leaving men in shock
- Take what is already theirs (because it belongs to them)
- Figuratively give two middle fingers to puritan theologies
- Teach themselves the way to survive so they are not reliant on others such as tending to a farm, making deals with pagan spirits, using witchcraft and such (lol)
…if you do then this is the book for you!
*cue eerie music*
Puritans, Devils and Spiders, Oh my!
Abitha is a young married girl brought into the new world (Connecticut) by her husband, after her mother died and grieving drunken father sold her off. She and her husband, Edward, tend to the farm they live on. Although Edward is good to her, he does not have much of a backbone when it comes to his brother, Wallace. Due to some bad investments and deals, Wallace is trying to give the land Edward ‘almost-fully’ owns to settle those debts. With the help of Abitha, Edward stands up to Wallace. Just as things seem to be turning up, Edward falls into a pit that leads to his death as something has been lurking and hungry. A newly widowed Abitha is now left to fight for what is hers, prove others wrong and settle the last payment. Wallace will do everything in his power to see her fail. The ‘devil’ is on the hunt. The church will condemn any behavior that poses against their point of view. With the help of her mother’s old ‘recipe’ book with enchantments and potions as well as help from the last place she might have expected it, Abitha will strive against all who stand against her.
Abitha: I have so many things to say, but cannot even find the words. Love a baddie! *round of applause for all you did*
Samson: You took us on a ride trying to figure you out! I love the dedication to self-discovery. 1666 was your year!
Forest/Creek/Sky: The energy given here reminded me of the kids from The Nightmare Before Christmas with the sinister laughs and little, quirky games. As odd as they are, protect them at all costs!
The ladies/townspeople: They were very much giving The Crucible by Arthur Miller vibes.
Wallace: Rot! (that’s all folks)
The rage that flowed through me while reading this story at times because of some people. This led to some much needed pacing around the room. Also the many times I cringed while visualizing the hundreds and thousands or spiders and bugs. Brom brings the gore, creepiness and dark themes in.
Food for thought after reading: The “righteous” must condemn the wicked, but isn’t it interesting that usually those who believe they are “righteous” that are often than not the wicked ones themselves.
Physically I understand that it is still the beginning of September and over 80 degrees Fahrenheit out. Mentally I am in autumn and here for the creepy and spooky vibes. This story took me to exactly the right headspace of where I want to be.
Lastly I have to say it because it seems like the theme this year (*SPOILER*), AUTHORS STOP KILLING CATS IN YOUR BOOKS! MY HEART CAN ONLY TAKE SO MUCH!
Would I recommend this and to who:
Yes, to those who oppose Puritan ways, the patriarchy and are in the mood for some spooky feels. Tis’ the autumn season upon us!
Paperback/Hardcover/Audiobook/E-book:
E-book
How did I discover this:
GR friend Ethan Johnson recommendation
Pace:
Medium
Cover thoughts:
HAVE YOU SEEN IT?! LOVE!
Quotes:
“You are a blessing, Abitha Williams. I would truly be lost without you.” She laughed. “What a couple of odd ducks we are. Well, mayhap together we will find our place.”
“Suffering does not bring one closer to God.”
“Why do you torment me so? What is it I have done?”
“Torment you? Why, it is you that torments me!”
“I’ve no soul left … They’ve crucified my fucking soul!”
“If it is a witch they want … then a witch they shall have.”
“If it is a devil you seek, than it is a devil you shall have!”
Triggers:
Violence, Death, Animal Death/Cruelty, Torture, Gore, Religious Bigotry, Misogyny, Sexism, Injury, Confinement, Fire, Colonization, Bullying, Suicidal Thoughts, Grief, Racism, Gaslighting, Swearing Classism, etc.
Don’t you just love when women…
- Speak up for themselves leaving men in shock
- Take what is already theirs (because it belongs to them)
- Figuratively give two middle fingers to puritan theologies
- Teach themselves the way to survive so they are not reliant on others such as tending to a farm, making deals with pagan spirits, using witchcraft and such (lol)
…if you do then this is the book for you!
*cue eerie music*
Puritans, Devils and Spiders, Oh my!
Abitha is a young married girl brought into the new world (Connecticut) by her husband, after her mother died and grieving drunken father sold her off. She and her husband, Edward, tend to the farm they live on. Although Edward is good to her, he does not have much of a backbone when it comes to his brother, Wallace. Due to some bad investments and deals, Wallace is trying to give the land Edward ‘almost-fully’ owns to settle those debts. With the help of Abitha, Edward stands up to Wallace. Just as things seem to be turning up, Edward falls into a pit that leads to his death as something has been lurking and hungry. A newly widowed Abitha is now left to fight for what is hers, prove others wrong and settle the last payment. Wallace will do everything in his power to see her fail. The ‘devil’ is on the hunt. The church will condemn any behavior that poses against their point of view. With the help of her mother’s old ‘recipe’ book with enchantments and potions as well as help from the last place she might have expected it, Abitha will strive against all who stand against her.
Abitha: I have so many things to say, but cannot even find the words. Love a baddie! *round of applause for all you did*
Samson: You took us on a ride trying to figure you out! I love the dedication to self-discovery. 1666 was your year!
Forest/Creek/Sky: The energy given here reminded me of the kids from The Nightmare Before Christmas with the sinister laughs and little, quirky games. As odd as they are, protect them at all costs!
The ladies/townspeople: They were very much giving The Crucible by Arthur Miller vibes.
Wallace: Rot! (that’s all folks)
The rage that flowed through me while reading this story at times because of some people. This led to some much needed pacing around the room. Also the many times I cringed while visualizing the hundreds and thousands or spiders and bugs. Brom brings the gore, creepiness and dark themes in.
Food for thought after reading: The “righteous” must condemn the wicked, but isn’t it interesting that usually those who believe they are “righteous” that are often than not the wicked ones themselves.
Physically I understand that it is still the beginning of September and over 80 degrees Fahrenheit out. Mentally I am in autumn and here for the creepy and spooky vibes. This story took me to exactly the right headspace of where I want to be.
Lastly I have to say it because it seems like the theme this year (*SPOILER*), AUTHORS STOP KILLING CATS IN YOUR BOOKS! MY HEART CAN ONLY TAKE SO MUCH!
Would I recommend this and to who:
Yes, to those who oppose Puritan ways, the patriarchy and are in the mood for some spooky feels. Tis’ the autumn season upon us!
Paperback/Hardcover/Audiobook/E-book:
E-book
How did I discover this:
GR friend Ethan Johnson recommendation
Pace:
Medium
Cover thoughts:
HAVE YOU SEEN IT?! LOVE!
Quotes:
“You are a blessing, Abitha Williams. I would truly be lost without you.” She laughed. “What a couple of odd ducks we are. Well, mayhap together we will find our place.”
“Suffering does not bring one closer to God.”
“Why do you torment me so? What is it I have done?”
“Torment you? Why, it is you that torments me!”
“I’ve no soul left … They’ve crucified my fucking soul!”
“If it is a witch they want … then a witch they shall have.”
“If it is a devil you seek, than it is a devil you shall have!”
Triggers:
Violence, Death, Animal Death/Cruelty, Torture, Gore, Religious Bigotry, Misogyny, Sexism, Injury, Confinement, Fire, Colonization, Bullying, Suicidal Thoughts, Grief, Racism, Gaslighting, Swearing Classism, etc.